President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as the new Secretary of Education, succeeding Vice President Sara Duterte, who will step down from the role on July 19.
Angara, a seasoned lawmaker and lawyer, expressed his readiness to lead the Department of Education, the largest government bureaucracy. In a statement, he conveyed his honor and gratitude for the appointment, emphasizing his commitment to advancing quality education and collaborating with various sectors, including his predecessor, Vice President Duterte.
“Education is the cornerstone of our nation’s future, and it is through collective effort that we can address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead,” Angara stated. He also noted his eagerness to work with President Marcos and the administration to support students and teachers.
President Marcos faced challenges in selecting the new DepEd secretary, emphasizing the importance of meeting public expectations. Angara’s appointment has received endorsements from key educational organizations like COCOPEA and PACU. However, some teachers’ groups had advocated for an educator rather than a politician to fill the position, stressing the need for someone focused on addressing the education crisis and improving teachers’ salaries.
Angara holds a Master of Laws from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics. His legislative achievements include the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (K-12).
